Manx community shines again…

Last night, Sharon Suwinski shared a link to a Just Giving page on her Facebook, in the hope to raise £4,000 to bring her ill father home.

Sharon is a Manx resident, and her father lives alone in Birmingham. Before Christmas, Sharon was told that her father had cancer, and his condition was deteriorating fast. Shortly after the Christmas period, he attended a number of appointments and was given the devastating news that his life expectancy would be no more than 6 to 8 months.

Sharon’s father was also suffering from severe back pain and insisted a doctor visit him at home. Upon checking on him, the doctor rang an ambulance and he’s been in hospital in Birmingham ever since. Subsequent scans showed Sharon’s father also had pneumonia, and yesterday they were told that he only had weeks to live.

His one request to Sharon was that he didn’t want to die alone in Birmingham, and that ‘he needed peace and his family.’ Sharon began to investigate how she could bring him back to the Island, and found her only option due to her father’s condition, was by urgent air ambulance.

Sharon naturally agreed, but because her father isn’t a Manx resident there was a hefty bill to foot. Sharon began researching various charities that may have been able to help, when a stranger suggested setting up a fundraising page. With nothing to lose, Sharon set one up and circulated the link on social media.

Within just 5 hours, the target of £4000 was hit thanks to the generosity of the Manx people.

Since hitting her target, Sharon has said, ‘The response has been phenomenal and in a few short hours, I have the money to make my Dad’s dream come true. He can now spend his final days how they should have been months ago. Peaceful and full of love. The kindness and compassion of the people of the Isle of Man, my friends in Manchester, Facebook and everyone that has helped, and donated and offered words of love and support at this very very difficult time has meant the absolute world to me. I will never forget this, Not in a million years. Now I need to concentrate on sprinkling magic and love so he dies knowing he’s more loved than he could ever have dreamed of. Thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart and my Dad’s’

The community on the Isle of Man is second-to-none, and we send our love and support to Sharon and her family at this time.